🚗 Inventory's Tight, Labor's Shifting, China’s Sprinting

TOGETHER WITH

Monday, July 7th.

We hope you had a great holiday weekend, but don’t stop now, the summer’s just starting.

Inventory’s tightening. Labor’s shifting. Global timelines are accelerating. And the question hanging over every store is simple: Can we keep up without burning out?

Today’s story isn’t about panic, it’s about positioning. Dealers who stay focused on what they can control will be the ones still standing tall come Q4.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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THE UNION

Inventory, Labor, and Keeping Up with China

Let’s start with inventory. June’s SAAR hit 15.3M, but don’t let the number mislead you. NADA points out that much of the demand was pulled forward earlier this year as shoppers raced to beat tariffs. Now, with OEM incentives pulling back and new car inventory trending down, dealers may be entering a leaner stretch.

At the same time, the used market is entering a new phase. Thanks to the leasing loophole of the past few years, nearly 1 million EVs will return to the market over the next two years. That’s a wave of opportunity, especially for dealers who are ready with reconditioning processes, battery health strategies, and consumer education. But there’s a catch: the federal EV tax credit ends September 30. What’s coming in the door may soon get harder to move out without the right prep.

On the labor front, the factory floor is quietly aging out. Manufacturers are losing veteran workers faster than they can train new ones. For the retail side, this might be the moment to rethink how dealerships engage in workforce development, maybe even alongside OEMs and plants.

And globally? Chinese brands like BYD and Chery are putting pressure on traditional timelines, launching new models in 18 months and expanding quickly. It’s not hype, it’s happening. And it could shape buyer expectations faster than we think.

➕ More on LinkedIn

🥊 Quick Hits

• The tariffs may end on July 9. 🤷 

• Vietnam trade deal hits retailers 🛍️ 

• A writer for Wired went on a couples retreat with three people and their AI “friends.” 🤟 

TOGETHER WITH UBER FOR BUSINESS

Webinar: Wednesday, July 9th

In today's margin-compressed automotive landscape, service departments face a dual challenge: controlling customer transportation costs while increasing repair volume. Intelligent transportation management can transform your largest controllable expense into a competitive advantage that simultaneously reduces costs and eliminates service bottlenecks.

According to industry data, transportation services now rank as the third-highest expense on dealership P&L statements. We’ll demonstrate how smart transportation solutions like Uber for Business can optimize these expenses while eliminating the bottlenecks that silently sabotage fixed ops’ profitability through excessive cycle time and reduced technician utilization.

Register for the webinar here.

CULTURE

Leading When the Numbers Aren’t Pretty

Let’s be real: Q3 might not be the vibe. Margins are tighter, incentives are cooling, and your team can feel the pressure even if no one’s said it out loud.

HBR’s latest reminds us that this is when leadership really shows up. Not through spin. Not through silence. Through clarity.

Your people don’t need false hope; they need to know what’s real, what’s working, and where their energy matters most. That means sharing facts, not fears. Asking good questions. Naming the wins. And helping your team see how their day-to-day still drives the big picture.

You don’t have to predict the future. But you do have to lead through it.

And the best way to keep momentum right now?

Talk like you trust your team to handle the truth.

🔁 Today in History

• 1928 – Sliced bread is sold for the first time (on the inventor's 48th birthday) by the Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri. 🍞 

• 1953 – Subaru is established 🦘 

• 1992 – The New York Court of Appeals rules that women have the same right as men to go topless in public. 🫣 

Always good to start the day with you, Friend.